Multifunction Mobile Device and Cellular Phone with Touch Screen and Internet Connectivity

ABSTRACT

A multifunction mobile device, cellular phone, or smart phone may have a touch screen, cellular radio, microphone, speakers, video and still camera, voicemail, and Internet website connectivity. The device may communicate using Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, WiFi or 802.11x with an access point and cellular, GSM, CDMA, or LTE. The device records spoken audio, processes the audio, transcribes the audio into text, and displays the text on the screen. Spoken audio may be used for emails or documents composition. The device may accept voice commands for actions including calling, dialing, browsing websites, or Internet searching. The device may use local or server-based voice recognition software. Voice patterns may be stored for an individual in a database. Voice may control functions on the device, a server, Internet site, or an intelligent television.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/878,666 filed Jun. 28, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/597,607 filed Jun. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,882,859 issued Apr. 19, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/281,739 filed Jun. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,169,789 issued Jan. 2, 2001; the contents of all the above referencedapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to Portable Electronic Devicesincluding a Mobile Device, Mobile Phone, Cellular Telephone (CT), orIntellikeyboard (IK), which can execute complex tasks previouslyresident on the personal computer, workstation, server, or a mainframecomputer; more particularly, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone leveragesthe tremendous power of both the Intranet and the Internet. Intelligenttelephony, appliances, devices, and equipment will find increasing usein modern society. There is a need for one single universal, handheld,lightweight, transportable, intelligent device that can compute,command, and control all these intelligent devices.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is lightweight and portable. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone comprises a display, a microphone, speaker,digital still or video camera, high speed transmit/receive device, suchas a modem, in addition to a full function keyboard. The display may betouch enabled, touch sensitive, or a touch screen. The device may bemulti-touch enabled. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have variousicons, keys, on-screen keyboards, virtual keyboards, internationalkeyboards, and other aspects which may be integrated into the operatingsystem or downloaded and modified by a server. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may have additional input/output ports forplugging in auxiliary devices such as a printer, and other devicesthrough either wired or wireless means. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phonehas a transmitter, receiver, a digital signal processor(s), otherprocessors, controller, display electronics and audio/video electronics.These functional blocks may be implemented using standard electronic,mechanical, or electromechanical components or custom electronic,mechanical, or electromechanical components by those knowledgeable inthe art.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is able to leverage the computing powerof the network or local server to process data. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone serves as a transmit and receive hub. Thus, theMobile Device/Cellular Phone is able to access a network or local serveror an intelligent peripheral device to perform any operation orfunction.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is able to transmit data inputted bythe user to the network or local server or other devices for furtherprocessing. A user may input data into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phoneby typing on the keyboard, inputting voice or sound through the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone's speaker, touching the screen of the display onthe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, using a mouse that interfaces with theMobile Device/Cellular Phone, using a pen that interfaces with theMobile Device/Cellular Phone, or through another method or device thatinterfaces with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. This data and commandsgenerated by the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may be sent to the localnetwork server or other devices for further processing. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone is able to retrieve data processed by the local ornetwork server or other devices. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone canthen perform further processing or output this data through the optionaldisplay, the speaker, or another device that interfaces with the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone.

Multiple intelligent equipment, intelligent appliances, televisions,printers and other devices can be accessed by a single MobileDevice/Cellular Phone or multiple Mobile Device/Cellular Phones eitherthrough a local/network server or directly. Unique addressingidentification of each intelligent device, sequencing of instructions,execution of commands will be performed via a common set of protocolsand procedures that reside on a local or network server or on otherintelligent devices.

Multiple Mobile Device/Cellular Phone's may coexist in an environment toaccess a common set of intelligent equipment, intelligent appliances,televisions, printers, and other devices. Multiple MobileDevice/Cellular Phones will operate in this common environment withoutconflict by leveraging a common set of protocols that reside on thelocal or network server and the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone with a built-in transmit/receivedevice, may access standard telephone lines or other communication linesto communicate with other intelligent devices that may be eitherresident locally or located across an Intranet or the Internet. This twoway communication may be either wired or wireless. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone has the ability to dial-up and connect with acommunication line or another intelligent appliance. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may also work in tandem with other modems andtransmit/receive devices that may exist in other appliances or work witha central host modem or transmit/receive unit. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may be configured with several wired and wirelesstransmit and receive components including 4G, Long term evolution (LTE),3G, 2G, CDMA, WiMax, NFC, RFID, Global Positioning System (GPS), WiFi,IEEE 802.11a,b,c,n (or any variant), Bluetooth, Zigbee, spread-spectrum,direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), frequency division multiplexing(FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Ethernet, cable, telephone, USB 1.0, USB2.0, USB 3.0 or other wired or wireless means. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may operate on a plurality of frequencies,communication bands, and channels. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone mayaccess location based services. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may beconfigured with various software applications that may be run on aserver as a software service or are downloaded from the server.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone combines transmitting and receivinginformation, performing standard computing functions through use of anetwork or local server, interacting and commanding many intelligentperipheral devices around the home or office through wired or wirelessmeans, telephony, handwriting recognition, barcode creating, reading andprinting; magnetic stripe creating, reading and printing; electronicmail, which may include audio, text/graphics, and video; mass storagedevice and display features, video input/output, imaging, audioinput/output, voice mail capability, voice synthesis, languagetranslation with text to voice and voice to text capability built intoone multi-function device.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may also serve as a base station orindividual station for telephony able to operate with a built-in ordetachable handset. It can also operate with multiple telephones andhandsets. In this mode, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can convertvoice to text, text to voice, or voice to voice in the same language orin another language. With the large computing/processing power of thelocal or network server the possibility to conduct live conversation insame or two or more different languages is feasible. Also texttranscription of voice conversations and the reverse is possible. TheMobile Device/Cellular Phone may also include the option to have thekeys in its keyboard be inscribed in Braille for individuals that arevisually impaired. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may be limited tosome or all of the features described above or may include all thefeatures described above based on the options desired by the user.

In this age of the Intranet and the Internet, there is a trend for thecomputing power and software protocols to move away from the userlocation, such as the personal computer, to the local server/networkserver. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may use the localserver/network server to perform complex operations, such as languagetranslation. In addition, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have somelanguage translation capability resident in itself via languagetranslation modules that may be easily plugged in and out of the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone integrates currently availablefunctions such as transmitting keystrokes to a computing device withtransmitting and receiving information, performing standard computingfunctions through use of a network or local server, interacting andcommanding many intelligent peripheral devices around the home or officethrough wired or wireless means, telephony, handwriting recognition,digital signatures, barcode creating, reading and printing; magneticstripe creating, reading and printing; electronic mail, which mayinclude audio, text/graphics, and video mass storage device and displayfeatures, video input/output, imaging, audio input/output, voice mailcapability, voice synthesis, language translation, with text to voiceand voice to text capability, and other high speed communicationfeatures that may be either wired or wireless. For example, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can interact with various intelligent peripheralsand appliances, through either wired or wireless means, to print, scan,fax, copy or perform other functions.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enable thebasic Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, which possesses the electronics andcomputing power to transmit data to and receive data from either anetwork server (the network server can be a PC) or intelligentperipheral or intelligent appliance through either wired or wirelessmeans, to serve as a transmit and receive hub. Using the computing powerresident on the network server a user can perform all standard computingfunctions from the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone has a transmitter, receiver, a digital signalprocessor, controller, display electronics and audio electronics whichare available as chips. These chips may be standard integrated circuitsor custom built. There can be a modem or a transmit/receive device builtinto the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. This modem or transmit/receivedevice can operate through either wired or wireless means.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to interact and command manyintelligent peripheral devices around the home or office through eitherwired or wireless means and thus serve as a universal keyboard. By usingthe processing power of the network server, the Mobile Device/CellularPhone can assign an identification number to each peripheral orappliance. With this unique identification number and the processingcapability of the network server, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone canthen control that particular appliance or peripheral. All the appliancesand peripherals will subscribe to the same protocols such that they willbe able to communicate with each other and be able to executeinstructions. The intelligent appliances and Mobile Device/CellularPhones may operate with a common Operating System that may be eitherproprietary or an industry standard.

Yet another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable a communication and control scheme of intelligent appliances andperipherals using the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The Centralmultichannel multiplexing transmit/receive may include cellular towers,home access points, home router, home switch, a smart television box orother device and may receive inputs from the local intelligentappliances and route these inputs to the network server/outside world.Conversely, the Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive suchas a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device may receiveinputs from the outside world/network server and route these inputs tothe local intelligent appliances. The Central multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Pointdevice is also able to facilitate communication between the localintelligent appliances. The Central multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Pointdevice or functional block may have multiple input and output channels,such that sequential/simultaneous addressing and communication withnumerous intelligent appliances and communication paths is possible. TheMobile Device/Cellular Phone is one element that would serve as auniversal keyboard/command, compute, and control unit within thisenvironment. It is anticipated that the Central multichannelmultiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLANAccess Point device would exist in each home/office environment tofacilitate the overall scheme described in this Mobile Device/CellularPhone system. The Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receivesuch as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device may bebuilt in multiple configurations. The Central multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Pointdevice may be configured with the desired number of input and outputchannels. The Central multichannel multiplexing modem can be implementedby those knowledgeable in the art utilizing the electronic functionalblocks described in this Mobile Device/Cellular Phone system. TheCentral multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as a WirelessLocal Area Network WLAN Access Point device may work in tandem with anembedded transmit/receive device that may exist in each intelligentappliance. Thus, there may exist within the home/office environment ahierarchy of transmit/receive devices:

1. An embedded transmit/receive device may exist in each intelligentappliance.

This embedded transmit/receive device may have multiple inputs/outputsfacilitating communication between other intelligent appliances and thecentral transmit/receive device or directly with the outside world.

2. A central transmit/receive device that will exist in the home/officeenvironment such that it may communicate with numerous intelligentappliances and the outside world.

3. The ability to convert passive electrical outlets and switches thatcould communicate within this environment and be controlled by an MobileDevice/Cellular Phone or other means.

4. A universal Mobile Device/Cellular Phone that will facilitate thecommand, compute and control of all intelligent appliances and systemswithin the home/office environment.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, which has a speaker and microphone tofacilitate interaction between voice recognition software resident onthe network server and the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The voicerecognition software may display text on the screen of the device. Thevoice recognition software may be resident on a local or network server.The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is also capable of outputting sound. Itis also able to convert sound to data that can be transmitted to anetwork server. By using the voice recognition software resident on thenetwork server, Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can convert text data intovoice and broadcast voice through a speaker mechanism.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone's display to send data to and receivedata from the network server. This display is capable of showing text,graphics or other data.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to transmit inputs from either thekeypad, display or voice inputs (sound) picked up from the microphone tothe network server or intelligent peripheral or intelligent appliancefor processing (through either wired or wireless means). Thus, one mayeither send data to software resident on the network server orintelligent peripheral or intelligent appliance through the keypad,through voice commands, or through the display by touching the screen.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to receive and transmit informationthrough a modem, a telephone line, an ethernet line or other form ofdata communication. These inputs and outputs are then processed by anetwork server or local server and are relayed back to the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone and/or the display. The Mobile Device/CellularPhone can use its modem to transmit data to and receive data from anetwork server or “intelligent” peripheral or appliance through eitherwired or wireless means. In this scenario, the network server mayperform any computation that is necessary. Intelligent peripherals andappliances will interact with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone througheither wired or wireless means.

For example, wireless communication may be achieved through either radiofrequency, in which line of sight is not required, or through infrared,in which line of sight is required. For wireless operation, a radiofrequency transmit/receive device or functional block can be built intothe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The radio frequency transmit/receivedevice or functional block allows the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone,which uses the computing power of the network server, to interface andcontrol other intelligent peripherals or intelligent appliances. Theradio frequency modem can be either single or multi-channel. This meansthat the radio frequency transmit/receive device or functional blockwhich is built into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can receive all ofits input from the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or it can receive manydifferent inputs from various intelligent appliances and peripheralssimultaneously. The radio frequency may be in any range that is FCCapproved, including spread spectrum.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to be connected to a local area networkor wide area network, including the Internet, through either wired orwireless means, to receive inputs of text and/or voice and to sendoutputs of text or voice depending on the user's choice. Voice sent to anetwork server could be stored as a data file.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to work in tandem with a network serverto receive text or voice data and process these inputs for audio output.The primary computing power/protocols and software reside on the server.

Voice includes spoken, as well as, other audio and or audible tonesinclusive of music/sound.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to have options and attachments addedto it. For instance, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can have moreprocessing power such that it can perform basic computations and willnot have to directly communicate with the network server to performcertain functions. For example, Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can possessmore processing power so that it can assign an identification number tovarious appliances and peripherals, recognize various appliances andperipherals and so that it can assign instructions for these appliancesand peripherals to execute. Additionally, other features such as datastorage can be added to the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. A module orstorage device can be built into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone torecord and store data and voice. For example, this can be accomplishedby using a PCMCIA, flash drive, SD, or micro-SD card. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can also be connected to a mouse, pen, CD-ROM,printer, CRT/TV by either wired or wireless means. As an option ascanner may interface with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone so thatdocuments can then be sent to the network server for further processing.

An aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enable a userto use voice commands to access the Internet and at the same timecommand intelligent peripherals and appliances through either wired orwireless means.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to combinetransmitting and receiving information, performing standard computingfunctions through use of a network or local server, interacting, andcommanding many intelligent peripheral devices around the home or officethrough wired or wireless means, telephony, handwriting recognition,barcode creation, reading and printing; magnetic stripe creating,reading and printing; electronic mail, which may include audio,text/graphics, and video; mass storage device and display features,video input/output, imaging, audio input/output, voice mail capability,voice synthesis, language translation with text to voice and voice totext capability, and other high speed communication features that may beeither wired or wireless into one device.

Yet another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable a user to translate voice in one language to text or voice inanother language. This can be accomplished either by using languagetranslation modules which fit into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone orby using the software capabilities of the local or network server. Theoutput can be in audio, display/video format or the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can command an intelligent peripheral such as aprinter to convert this output into hard copy format.

Yet another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable a user to translate text in one language to text or voice inanother language. This can be accomplished by either using languagetranslation modules which fit into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone orby using the software capabilities of the local or network server. Theoutput can be in audio, display/video format, or the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can command an intelligent peripheral such as aprinter to convert this output into hard copy format.

Yet another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable users to communicate with and command the Mobile Device/CellularPhone remotely, through either the Internet or through a datacommunication line such as a telephone line.

Still another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable a user to command the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone through voicecommands. As an example, a user could dictate a message to the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone in any language.

Yet another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to be able to interact withother intelligent peripherals or intelligent appliances. This couldinvolve, for instance, interacting with an intelligent television tooutput the keystrokes that are typed on the Mobile Device/CellularPhone.

Yet another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toenable the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to interact with other devicesthrough either wired or wireless means.

Still another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is to enablethe device to work in conjunction with a local or network server toreceive text, voice, or other data and process these inputs for eitherediting, audio, video, and other data output.

A feature of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is to use the computingpower of the local or network server to perform complex tasks. As anexample, a local server may be a personal computer.

Another unique feature of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is that ithas a built-in communication functional block such as a high speedtransmit/receive device. This high speed transmit/receive functionenables the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to access the network at veryhigh data rates that are necessary in order to transmit and receive datafrom other devices or from the network. The ability to transmit/receivemay reside within the keyboard or be external to it. This access to theInternet, the Intranet, cable network, wireless network, or othernetworks may be via wired or wireless means. As an example, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may receive/transmit through a wireless satellitenetwork. It is anticipated that many intelligent appliances will have acommon transmit/receive function that would operate under commonindustry standards and protocols. These standards would apply both forthe hardware and the software implementation. These transmit/receivefunctional blocks will be part of the hardware of many intelligentappliances/devices.

Another unique feature of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is that itcould serve as the base station or as a handset for telephony with theability to operate with multiple telephone handsets. This will enablethe user to transmit and receive using voice and selectively display asneeded. The telephony may be either wired or wireless.

In accordance with another feature of the Mobile Device/Cellular PhoneSystem the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have options and otherdevices added on to it. For example, extra data/mass storage devices caninteract with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. This will allow localarchival of confidential and sensitive messages and data, while at thesame time will enable the user to access certain types of data since itis resident locally rather than on the network.

Another unique feature of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is that itcan take inputs of written word or spoken word and output a synthesizedvoice through its speakers. The database that contains the intonationand phonetic character of the voice can reside either in specializedmodules which fit into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, or on the localor network server, or on the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone itself.Various synthesized voices can be selected ranging from your own tosomeone else's. As an example, you could record some selected sounds andit would recognize your voice patterns and synthesize it. This allowstext to be outputted as speech in your own voice or another voice.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to capture images from books,blackboards, white boards, paper easel boards, and other displays toeither print, process, transmit, or store for future use. As an example,the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have an image capture capabilitythrough a digital camera. The image capture capability may either bebuilt-in, or be in an optional attachment or be part of a peripheraldevice that works in tandem with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. Inthis scenario, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can digitize thetext/drawings or other information displayed on a book, sheet of paper,blackboard, white board, paper easel, or other forms of display forarchival, further processing, or transmission via a network to otherlocations/devices.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to use its digital camera, which can bean attachment or can be built into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, todigitize an image. This image can then be converted to either voice ortext. As an example, if the digital camera took a digitized image of apage in a book which might be inconvenient to scan in through apage-feed scanner, as opposed to a flat-bed scanner, it could thenconvert this image into text and store this as a text document, processthis information further, could convert the image into voice for furtherprocessing, or output the voice through the speakers.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is toautomatically add subtitles/text to a video clip, which may be displayedcontinuously or frame by frame. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phoneconverts the voice from the video clip into text and is able to displaythis text/subtitle on a CRT or display in any or multiple languages. Asan example, this option would be of great benefit to individuals who arehearing impaired. Another example of the benefit of this textual displayis the ability for those watching a movie in one language to hear thesound in that language but view the text/subtitles on the screen in adifferent language.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is torecognize alpha-numeric text to create barcodes. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can also read barcodes to create alpha-numerictext. With a barcode reader attachment which may be wired or wirelessthe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone serves as a vehicle either to printbarcode labels or to store the digitized barcode information for furtherprocessing.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to serve as a point of sale terminalthat can read magnetically coated information from credit cards. In thisconfiguration, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone will have a built-infeature or an external attachment where a credit card can be swipedacross a reader that would be able to read magnetically coatedinformation from the credit card for transmission, verification,transaction, and confirmation. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, as anexample, may be used in stores to conduct transactions. By interacting,and commanding an intelligent printer, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phonewould be able to print. It is also anticipated that the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone would be able to facilitate home banking, homeshopping via this feature with the ability to provide printed receiptsor storage of relevant information on a local and/or network server.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enable auser to input handwritten text in any specific language and have theMobile Device/Cellular Phone output text in the same or another languagein a standardized format in any font for either display, transmission,or further processing. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can perform thereverse operation of converting standardized text in any specificlanguage to handwritten text in the same or a different language. It isanticipated that independent third parties would develop handwritingpattern recognition algorithms based on sampling and digitizing varioustypes of handwriting patterns in a specific language with the object ofcreating a lookup table that would provide a corresponding standardizedtextual equivalent. These types of handwriting recognition databases maybe created for English and all other languages with a textual equivalentin each language. Cross-linking of these different handwriting languagedatabases allows for language translation of handwritten text into thesame language or another language's textual equivalent. As a result, itis also possible to have the conversion of handwritten text in onelanguage to handwritten text in another language. If the user desires touse his own handwriting for output, the user can input a sample documentof his handwriting to the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can then store the handwriting pattern and varioushandwritten letters of the alphabet in a look-up table or database. TheMobile Device/Cellular Phone can use this database and optical characterrecognition/handwriting pattern recognition algorithms to output a textdocument in the user's handwriting. It is also possible to converthandwritten text into voice and the reverse process of voice intohandwritten text in the same or a different language. The software,protocols, handwriting recognition algorithms and databases to performthis function may reside in the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or on alocal or network server which the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone interactswith.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to providecomplete portability such that the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can beused locally or globally. A Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may bepersonalized and used anywhere in the world by plugging into acommunication line to access various intelligent appliances and devices.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablehandheld personal computers and other similar portable or desktopdevices to incorporate some or all of the features claimed for theMobile Device/Cellular Phone.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is that anembedded multichannel transmit/receive device or functional device maybe incorporated into various intelligent appliances including a handheldPC. The embedded transmit/receive function allows the communicationamong various intelligent appliances and is configured to work in tandemwith a Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as aWireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is that aCentral multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as a WirelessLocal Area Network WLAN Access Point device will be an integral part ofa local or wide area network working as a central controller orcommunications server. In this capacity, it is able to control a numberof intelligent client appliances within its local sphere of control orRadio Frequency (RF) range. In this capacity as a communications serverthis unit unlike a PC or other standard servers may not have full rangeof computing capabilities but a limited set that enables it to serve insequencing and scheduling the transmit/receive functions.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to define atransmit/receive functional block that can be single input or multipleinput with either a single or multiple outputs that may be accessedsequentially or simultaneously. Conceptually the transmit/receivefunctional block may be executed in two forms: 1) as an embeddedtransmit/receive function that would reside in an intelligent applianceor device 2) as a central multichannel multiplexing unit that could workin association with a number of embedded transmit/receivers, to scheduleand sequence communication traffic.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is that theembedded transmit/receive function and the Central multichannelmultiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLANAccess Point functional block concept can be executed at a printedcircuit board level or as a multichip single package or as a single chipmonolithic IC solution. This solution can be an integral part of everyintelligent appliance, personal computer, servers, and other devices toenable intelligent appliances to communicate within a local or wide areanetwork or across the Internet.

Another aspect of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System is to enablethe ubiquitous wall electrical sockets, switches, sensors, and othersimilar devices to be turned into intelligent units capable of beingcontrolled by the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone and functioning smartlywithin an intelligent local or wide area network. This is accomplishedby an embedded radio frequency controller. The functional block levelconcept for executing this radio frequency controller as a single chipmonolithic IC solution is outlined.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System, objects and features thereofwill be more readily apparent from the following detailed descriptionsand appended claims when used in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system level input/output configuration block diagram of theMobile Device/Cellular Phone. In addition to its normal keyboardfunctions, display, and other features, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phonehas the ability to interface with a telephone line, to other networks,to ethernet or to other data communication paths, either by wired or bywireless. Note that all arrows on FIG. 1 can signify either wired orwireless data communication paths. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone mayhave a built-in embedded transmit/receive device/function or mayinterface with an external transmit/receive device either of which maybe wired or wireless, either radio frequency or infrared. Theinput/output functions of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone described inthis figure can be executed by those knowledgeable in the art andreduced to actual practice.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phonethat highlights the display, telephony, transmit/receive function, andother specialized functions which can be implemented as hardware and/orsoftware by those knowledgeable in the art and reduced to practice.

FIG. 3 is an embedded transmit/receive function diagram that describesone of the possible schemes and detailed functional blocks that would bepart of an embedded transmit/receive function. It is anticipated thatmany intelligent appliances will have an imbedded transmit/receivefunction that complies with established industry standard hardware andsoftware protocols that are expected to emerge. The figure showsmultiple inputs and multiple outputs that would allow each intelligentappliance to sequentially/simultaneously interface with more than oneintelligent appliance or Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone itself is an intelligent device that would havethe same embedded transmit/receive function.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram showing a method to transmit,receive and identify that would allow the coding of information,transmitted by an intelligent device such that this information receivedby another device can be decoded and identified to its unique sourcefrom which the data was transmitted.

FIG. 5 shows a global scheme of how multiple intelligent devices and theMobile Device/Cellular Phone coexist in an office/home environment witheach other, the PC/server, the network server, and the outside world.This drawing shows a Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receivesuch as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device that isable to receive inputs from various intelligent appliances and channelthe routing and transmission for efficient communication between variousintelligent appliances. Note that all lines represent either radiofrequency paths, infrared paths, or another form of wired or wirelessdata communication.

FIG. 6 shows how the Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receivesuch as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device/functioncould be implemented as a hardware system in a box or as an integratedsystem level silicon solution in the form of a single chip/multi-chipsingle packaged integrated circuit. Many combinations of inputs andoutputs are possible as shown in FIG. 6. Note that thetransmitter/receiver may be either wired or wireless.

All the figures are for illustrative purposes and the number of inputsand outputs is not to be construed as limited by the examples shown inthe Figures. In addition, the feature of programmation provides foradded flexibility. Further, each of the input/output channels could behardwired designed or software programmable to interface with varioustypes of input/output data communication lines.

FIG. 7 shows how the ubiquitous electrical outlet and the electricalswitch could be made to be intelligent by having an embedded radiofrequency controller. The embedded radio frequency controller allows theMobile Device/Cellular Phone and or/other intelligent appliances toefficiently and intelligently interact with the electrical outlet andthe electrical switch. The electrical wiring may serve as an antenna. Byextension this concept may be applied to other appliances that areeither active or passive. In addition, the existing base of electricaloutlets/switches could have an intelligent plug-in module to turn thesehitherto passive outlets into active intelligent outlets/switches. Theembedded RF controller may have programmable features built-in toprovide added options. Note that the antenna may be part of theintelligent electrical switch or intelligent electrical socket orintelligent sensor or it may use the internal wiring of the house as anantenna.

FIGS. 8-12 show additional block diagrams of an Mobile Device/CellularPhone system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may havemultiple inputs and outputs which may be connected through either wiredor wireless means. Additional inputs and outputs may be added as neededto make the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone a multifunction universalkeyboard. The added features may be external or built-in.

Referring to FIG. 1, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have anoptional built in scanner mechanism such that the Mobile Device/CellularPhone can be used as a handheld scanner. This built-in scan mechanismmay be arranged along any edge of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone toallow for page scanning, or other document scanning by dragging orsweeping the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone edgewise, across the document.The scanned images may be displayed on a built-in screen of the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone or transmitted for further processing/display onother intelligent devices.

Referring, to FIG. 1, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may also have abuilt-in CD-ROM capability with insertion/removal of CD along any edgeof the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The compact disc diameter may varyand may be customized to a smaller diameter to fit into the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone and meet any size constraints. Similarly, alonganother edge of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone it is possible to havea slot for a floppy disk drive or other ports.

Referring to FIG. 1, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have abuilt-in microphone and speaker to facilitate speaking directly into theMobile Device/Cellular Phone as we normally do into a telephone handsetand also listening to its sound output. In addition, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may have optional attachments to provide otherstandard telephony features.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone comprises akeyboard, a display, a microphone, a speaker, telephony,transmit/receive device, with optional input/output ports. The telephonyfeature may work either with an intelligent telephone/base station orwith a local or network server. Data may be inputted via the keyboard, atouch screen display, or through voice. Processing may be performedwithin the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or by the local or networkserver or other intelligent devices.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrates the Central multichannelmultiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLANAccess Point device, and the electronics/components of the Centralmultichannel multiplexing, transmit/receive device: an input block,receiver block, decoder block, input buffer block, input controllerblock, processor block, data compression block, output buffer block,output controller block, encoder block, and transmission block. Shown inthis Figure are multiple inputs from various intelligent appliancesand/or the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. The input block consists ofmultiple channels that will route the data to the receiver. The receiverelectronics is capable of receiving data and identifying the source ofeach data packet. The receiver block is capable of receiving inputssimultaneously or sequentially from various sources. The data receivedfrom the receiver block may be in an encoded form in which case thedecoder block decodes the data for further processing. Simultaneousand/or sequential data packets from multiple sources are stored andqueued for further processing in the input buffer block. The inputcontroller block decides which packet of information needs to beprocessed next and sends the appropriate packet of data for furtherprocessing by the processor block. After the data is processed by theprocessor, it is now ready for transmission. However, to achieve highspeed transmission the data compression block compresses the data. Thedata is now stored in the output buffer block awaiting specificinstructions by the output controller block. The encoder block encodesthe packet of data such that it reaches the unique appliance or devicefor which it is intended. The transmission block transmits the data insequence to the intended appliance or device or for further processingvia a standard communication line or a RF data path. Those knowledgeablein the art can implement each of the specific functional blocksutilizing standard electronic components or custom components. Thesecomponents may be configured to perform parallel processing for variousdata streams. For example, when four channel capabilities are desired,four separate processor components may be used or a four channelmonolithic processor specifically designed for this purpose may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this figure shows a simplified block diagram bywhich an identifying string could be attached to real data. Thisidentifying string will precede actual data transmission and will alsobe sent after the actual data transmission. In other words, packets ofreal data are embedded in between two identifying strings. Theseidentifying strings uniquely define the source of the data and thedestination of the data.

Thus the intelligent appliance sending the data is uniquely identifiedand the intelligent appliance receiving the data is uniquely identified.The periodicity at which the identifying strings could be appended toactual data will depend on the level of accuracy, security, and thespeed of transmission desired. The actual data may be encrypted. Theseprotocols ensure that the correct intelligent appliance is beingaddressed at all times. In addition, the user may be able to set aunique identification number and addressing sequence of his choice foreach intelligent appliance or device.

Referring now to FIG. 5, this figure shows a system level scheme thatdescribes the various communication and data paths between variousintelligent appliances, the Central multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Pointdevice, the local or network server, and the Mobile Device/CellularPhone. When sending data, intelligent appliances and devices areexpected to subscribe to common, industry standard protocols thatestablish the identity of each intelligent appliance/device and theunique way to address each intelligent appliance/device. These protocolsensure that the correct intelligent appliance/device is being addressedat all times. In addition, the user may be able to set a uniqueidentification number and addressing sequence of their choice for eachintelligent appliance/device.

The Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as aWireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device may receive inputsfrom the local intelligent appliances and route these inputs to thenetwork server/outside world. Conversely, the Central multichannelmultiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLANAccess Point device may receive inputs from the outside world/networkserver and route these inputs to the local intelligent appliances. TheCentral multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as a WirelessLocal Area Network WLAN Access Point device is also able to facilitatecommunication between the local intelligent appliances. The Centralmultichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local AreaNetwork WLAN Access Point may have multiple input and output channelssuch that sequential and simultaneous addressing and communication withnumerous intelligent appliances and communication paths is possible.

The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is one element that would serve as auniversal keyboard/command and control unit within this environment. Itis anticipated that the Central multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Pointdevice would exist in each home/office environment to facilitate theoverall scheme described in this Mobile Device/Cellular Phone system.The Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as aWireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device may be built inmultiple configurations. The Central multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Pointdevice may be configured with the desired number of input and outputchannels. The Central multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver canbe implemented by those knowledgeable in the art utilizing theelectronic functional blocks described in this Mobile Device/CellularPhone system.

The Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as aWireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device may work in tandemwith an embedded transmit/receive device that may exist in eachintelligent appliance. Thus, there exists within the home/officeenvironment a hierarchy of transmit/receive devices:

-   -   1. An embedded transmit/receive device may exist in each        intelligent appliance. This embedded transmit/receive device may        have multiple inputs/outputs facilitating communication between        other intelligent appliances and the central transmit/receive        device or directly with the outside world.    -   2. A Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as        a Wireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device that will        exist in the home/office environment such that it may        communicate with numerous intelligent appliances and the outside        world.    -   3. The ability to convert passive electrical outlets and        switches that could communicate within this environment and be        controlled by an Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or other means.    -   4. A universal Mobile Device/Cellular Phone that will facilitate        the command, compute and control of all intelligent appliances        and systems within the home/office environment.

Referring now to FIG. 6, which describes a multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive device, the transmit/receive controller electronicsblock diagram can be implemented by those skilled in the art with eitherstandard or custom electronics. The entire controller electronics may bea single chip integrated circuit. It is anticipated that all intelligentappliances would utilize this block diagram as a universal and requisiteembedded feature. This embedded transmit/receive function may come inmultiple configurations of inputs and outputs. In dual channelconfiguration, the multiplexing transmit/receive device has two inputsand two outputs. This will allow an intelligent appliance tosequentially or simultaneously be addressed by the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone for either sequential or simultaneous output.Similarly, this same block diagram concept is executable for a Centralmultichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local AreaNetwork WLAN Access Point device.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, the following examples serve todemonstrate the workings of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone,intelligent appliances, and the central multichannel multiplexingtransmitter/receiver:

Example 1

A telephone call may be initiated or received using the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone using a cellular or Voice IP. A user may activatethe Mobile Device/Cellular Phone and put it into the telephony mode.Immediately, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is in RF communicationwith the central multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver locatedin the local area network. The central multichannel multiplexingtransmitter/receiver will connect with the outside line and complete theconnection. Let us say at some point in the conversation the capabilityof the local server or network server is desired. The MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can send a RF command to the central multichannelmultiplexing transmitter/receiver to bring the server on-line and intothe communication loop. The server may be used to record theconversation or to have the conversation translated into anotherlanguage using the extensive language translation capabilities residenton the local/network server. Conversations could be conducted in two ormore languages.

Example 2

If at any time during the conversation a printout is desired anintelligent printer can be activated by the Mobile Device/Cellular Phoneto initiate and execute the job. This is accomplished by sending an RFsignal from the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone to the intelligent printervia the central multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver. Theintelligent printer is now in the loop and is executing the tasksimmediately or queuing and scheduling the task.

Example 3

The text, graphics, and video may be activated by the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone and viewed on a built-in screen or viewed on anintelligent TV screen by patching the intelligent TV screen into thecommunication loop.

Example 4

Multichannel capability and the ability to multiplex the inputs/outputssequentially or simultaneously for use by a number of intelligentappliances is possible. This multichannel multiplexing capability mayexist within each intelligent appliance. The ability to incorporate thisfeature is driven by need and cost. The advantage is that this featureallows each intelligent appliance and the whole local area network to beused efficiently and effectively by allowing queuing and scheduling ofvarious tasks. The queuing and scheduling tasks is real time and theremay be different levels of queuing and scheduling capabilities residentin each intelligent appliance and the local area network.

Certain levels of queuing and scheduling capabilities may exist in theintelligent appliance, another level of capabilities may exist in thecentral multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver and yet anotherlevel of capability may exist in the local or network server. The levelof capability to queue, schedule, process, receive, and transmit datadepends on the number of input and output channels, the size of the databuffer and whether the inputs and outputs can be multiplexed. It is alsopossible to define and dedicate certain channels for various pre-definedor programmable tasks only. The embedded transmitter/receiver functionand the central multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver can bebuilt to have a combination of various input and output channels withand without multiplexing capability. The basic concept of how theseelectronic functional blocks can be executed at either the board levelor chip level is described. As an example, a quad-in and quad-outtransmitter/receiver can have one channel dedicated for telephony,another channel dedicated for TV, another channel for printers, and achannel for security or it is possible to have certain channelsmultiplexed for use by a number of intelligent appliances.

Example 5

The transmission/reception is within the FCC prescribed frequency domainfor intelligent appliances. The transmitter/receiver electronics and ICsare designed to conform to the prescribed standards. However, within thelocal or wide area network significant RF traffic from numerousintelligent appliances may be present with the potential for crosstalkand other problems. To avoid this crosstalk, packets of RF data sent byeach intelligent appliance are coded and transmitted in such a way thatperiodically there will be an identifying string of data that clearlydefines the source of the data and the destination. The periodicity ofthis identifying string data, the length and complexity of thisidentifying string data, and the encryption of actual data is driven bythe level of accuracy and the level of security desired. This ability toencode and decode identifying strings from each appliance allowsmultiple intelligent appliances to use the same RF frequency domain andco-exist within a local area network. The implementation of this conceptrequires the hardware described and a pre-defined set of softwareprotocols that may be either industry standard or custom.

Example 6

The central multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver may eitherconnect with the outside world through the wire or by wireless orsatellite means. It is possible that this central multichannelmultiplexing transmitter/receiver may communicate in one definedfrequency domain within the local or wide area network with allintelligent appliances that are part of this network and at a same ordifferent frequency domain with the outside world. By extension thereverse concept is also claimed. In this scenario, where there may be aneed for two different frequencies of communication thetransmitter/receiver electronics and chip level solutions can bedesigned to accommodate for this requirement.

Example 7

Referring now to FIG. 7, the figure consists of an intelligentelectrical outlet with a built-in radio frequency controller. The radiofrequency controller has the ability to receive inputs and transmitOutput such that the electrical outlet can be controlled by the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone or other means. The radio frequency controllerconsists of the transmit/receive function and the control function whichincludes the ability to turn the outlet on and off and perform othervariable and programmable control functions. The radio frequencycontroller consists of a receiver, a processor, controller, programmablelogic, and a transmitter. The radio frequency controller electronics maybe implemented by those skilled in the art using, either standard orcustom electronics. The entire controller electronics may be implementedas a monolithic single chip integrated circuit. A block diagram conceptof how this embedded RF controller can be implemented at a chip level isshown in FIG. 7. The radio frequency controller can be incorporated onall new electrical outlets and switches to be made in the future suchthat they are all intelligent electronic outlets and intelligentelectrical switches. Alternatively, a plug-in module may be configuredto make existing electrical outlets and electrical switches intelligent.Additionally, this concept of an embedded RF controller may be extendedto other sensors that would sense such things as light, temperature, andpressure, smoke, to name a few. The radio frequency controller consistsof the transmit/receive function and the control function which includesthe ability to turn the switch on and off. It is possible to assign aunique identification to each electrical outlet and each electricalswitch to uniquely address and control these units using the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone.

More detailed examples of the aspects of the present MobileDevice/Cellular Phone System will now be described.

Example 8

FIG. 8 consists of three distinct blocks, Block 10 being the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone block, Block 20 being the MultichannelMultiplexing Transmitter/Receiver, and Block 30 being the NetworkServer, all connected by wired or wireless means.

This example describes the use of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone inthe telephony mode. Telephony for voice or data transmission may beinitiated by selecting the telephony mode on the Mobile Device/CellularPhone. This may be activated by voice or key command.

The telephony connection maybe wired or wireless. The connection iscompleted between the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone and the centralmultichannel multiplexing transmit/receiver located in the loop. Thetransmitter/receiver in turn establishes a connection to an outside linefor either dialup or Internet access. In this mode, two-way voice ordata transmission may be conducted. In addition, specific advance use oflanguage translation capability may be brought online by connecting to anetwork server on which resides an extensive database capability totranslate from one language to another by recognizing the speechpatterns of either speaker. Using this database capability the networkserver is able to provide speech in any selected language at either end.As an example, a speaker conversing in English at one end may have hisspeech translated to Japanese at the other end. Similarly, the reversetranslation can be performed. The server could record the conversationsif desired by selecting a record feature.

Example 9

FIG. 9 consists of four distinct blocks, Block 10 being the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone block, Block 20 being the MultichannelMultiplexing Transmitter/Receiver, Block 30 being the Network Server,and Block 40 being an Intelligent Printer, all connected by wired orwireless means.

In this example, a textual transcript of any telephonic conversationscould be generated in any selected language using the extensive mappingcapabilities for language translation resident on the network server.These features would provide real-time voice translation andtranscription capabilities. The text may be printed at either end in adesired language using an Intelligent Printer. Once the IntelligentPrinter is part of the loop, it may execute tasks immediately or queueand/or schedule the tasks.

Example 10

FIG. 10 consists of four distinct blocks, Block 10 being the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone block, Block 20 being the MultichannelMultiplexing Transmitter/Receiver, Block 30 being the Network Server,and Block 50 being an Intelligent TV/Monitor, all connected by wired orwireless means.

The text, graphics, and video may be activated by the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone and viewed on a built-in screen or viewed on anintelligent TV/monitor screen by patching the intelligent TV/monitorscreen into the communication loop.

Example 11

FIG. 11 consists of five distinct blocks, Block 10 being the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone block, Block 20 being the MultichannelMultiplexing Transmitter/Receiver, Block 30 being the Network Server,Block 42 being an Intelligent Appliance/Device, and Block 44 beinganother Intelligent Appliance/Device, all connected by wired or wirelessmeans.

Multichannel capability and the ability to multiplex the inputs/outputssequentially or simultaneously for use by a number of intelligentappliances is possible. This multichannel multiplexing capability mayexist within each intelligent appliance. The ability to incorporate thisfeature is driven by need and cost. The advantage is that this featureallows each intelligent appliance and the whole local area network to beused efficiently and effectively by allowing queuing and scheduling ofvarious tasks. The queuing and scheduling tasks is real time and theremay be different levels of queuing and scheduling capabilities residentin each intelligent appliance and the local area network.

Certain levels of queuing and scheduling capabilities may exist in theintelligent appliance, another level of capabilities may exist in thecentral multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver and yet anotherlevel of capability may exist in the local or network server. The levelof capability to queue, schedule, process, receive, and transmit datadepends on the number of input and output channels, the size of the databuffer, and whether the inputs and outputs can be multiplexed.

It is also possible to define an embedded transmitter/receiver functionwith multiple channels with and without multiplexing capability. Thebasic concept of how these electronic functional blocks can be executedat either the board level or chip level is described. As an example, aquad-in and quad-out transmitter/receiver can have one channel dedicatedfor telephony, another channel dedicated for TV, another channel forprinters, and a channel for security. As an option, specific channelsmay be multiplexed for use by a number of intelligent appliances.

In specific, referring to FIG. 11, the multichannel multiplexingtransmitter/receiver is described with four channels, one channel beingdedicated for two-way communication with the Mobile Device/CellularPhone, another channel dedicated for two-way communication with thenetwork server, and two other channels each dedicated for twocommunication with two different intelligent appliances. in this quadconfiguration, the multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver caninteract with four different entities having the capability to scheduleor process the data real time. Similarly, each of the IntelligentAppliances/Devices may have some built-in capabilities for communicationdirectly with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or through theMultichannel Multiplexing Transmitter/Receiver.

Example 12

Once again referring to FIG. 11, it is possible for a uniqueidentification to be assigned to each Intelligent Appliance/Device tomaintain communication protocols. Intelligent Appliance/Device 1 wouldhave a specific beginning and ending code that uniquely identifies it.Whenever data is received by the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or anyother device on the network it would be able to identify the source. IfIntelligent Appliance/Device 1 has transmitted certain data the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone would identify the source or the multichannelmultiplexing transmitter/receiver could queue or transmit the data tothe uniquely designated appliance.

The wireless transmission/reception is within the FCC prescribedfrequency domain for intelligent appliances. The wirelesstransmitter/receiver electronics and ICs are designed to conform to theprescribed standards. However, within the local or wide area networksignificant RF traffic from numerous intelligent appliances may bepresent with the potential for crosstalk and other problems. To avoidthis crosstalk, packets of RF data sent by each intelligent appliancesare coded and transmitted in such a way that periodically there will bean identifying string of data that clearly defines the source of thedata and the destination. The periodicity of this identifying stringdata, the length and complexity of this identifying string data, and theencryption of actual data is driven by the level of accuracy and thelevel of security desired. This ability to encode and decode identifyingstrings from each appliance allows multiple intelligent appliances touse the same RF frequency domain and co-exist within a local areanetwork. The implementation of this concept requires the hardwaredescribed and a pre-defined set of software protocols that may be eitherindustry standard or custom.

Example 13

Referring to FIG. 12 which shows a block diagram of intelligent devicescommunicating within the network at a specific frequency of F_(local)and with the outside world via satellite transmitter receiver orcellular base station, indicated as 12, at a different frequency ofF_(outside).

The central multichannel multiplexing transmitter/receiver may eitherconnect with the outside world through the wired such as cable, fiber,DSL or by wireless such as WiFi, any 802.11 variant, cellular, orsatellite means. The central multichannel multiplexingtransmitter/receiver may function as a local 802.11 access point in ahome environment or as a cellular base station in the home or publicenvironment. It is possible that this central multichannel multiplexingtransmitter/receiver may communicate in one defined frequency domainwithin the local or wide area network with all Intelligent Appliancesthat are part of this network and at same or different frequency domainwith the outside world. By extension the reverse concept is alsoclaimed. In this scenario, where there may be a need for two differentfrequencies of communication the transmitter/receiver electronics andchip level solutions can be designed to accommodate for this multiplefrequency requirement.

Example 14

Referring now to FIG. 7, the figure consists of an intelligentelectrical outlet with a built-in radio frequency controller. The radiofrequency controller has the ability to receive inputs and transmitoutput such that the electrical outlet can be controlled by the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone or other means. The radio frequency controllerconsists of the transmit/receive function and the control functionincluding the ability to turn the outlet on and off and perform othervariable and programmable control functions. The radio frequencycontroller consists of a receiver, a processor, controller, programmablelogic, and a transmitter. The radio frequency controller electronics maybe implemented by those skilled in the art using either standard orcustom electronics. The entire controller electronics may be implementedas a monolithic single chip integrated circuit

A block diagram concept of how this embedded RF controller can beimplemented at a chip level is shown in FIG. 7. The radio frequencycontroller can be incorporated on all new electrical outlets andswitches to be made in the future, such that they are all intelligentelectronic outlets and intelligent electrical switches. Alternatively, aplug-in module may be configured to make existing electrical outlets andelectrical switches intelligent. Additionally, this concept of anembedded RF controller may be extended to other sensors that would sensesuch things as light, temperature, and pressure, smoke, to name a few.The radio frequency controller consists of the transmit/receive functionand the control function including at a minimum, the ability to turn theswitch on and off. It is possible to assign a unique identification toeach electrical outlet and each electrical switch to uniquely addressand control these units using the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone.

Thus, while the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System has been describedwith reference to specific embodiments and applications, the descriptionis illustrative of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System and is not tobe construed as limiting the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone System.Various modifications and applications may occur to those skilled in theart without departing from the true spirit and scope of the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone System as defined by the appended claims.

1. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, may have the ability to communicatewith other intelligent devices and appliances through either wired orwireless means. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone system configurationmay combine the standard keyboard functions, display functions, transmitand receive functions, telephony functions, fax and scan functions,voice and speech recognition functions, in addition to serving as auniversal command and control unit for appliances and devices thatoperate using electrical power.

2. The system level configuration for the command and control ofmultiple intelligent appliances utilizing the Mobile Device/CellularPhone, an embedded transmit/receive function that would exist withineach intelligent appliance or device, and a Central multichannelmultiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLANAccess Point device that would be part of a local or wide area networkwithin the home or office. A board level, multichip single packageand/or single chip monolithic integrated circuit implementation of theembedded transmit/receive function and the central multichannelmultiplexing function is also claimed. The Central multichannelmultiplexing transmit/receive such as a Wireless Local Area Network WLANAccess Point device is capable of multiplexing inputs/outputs from anumber of intelligent appliances/devices and communicating via thebuilt-in transmit/receive function across various communication pathsand/or lines.

3. The system level configuration where the Mobile Device/Cellular Phoneand the Central multichannel multiplexing transmit/receive such as aWireless Local Area Network WLAN Access Point device can work in tandemwith a local or network server to perform various computing, dataprocessing, and data transmission functions, inclusive of text,graphics, audio, and video.

4. The basic Mobile Device/Cellular Phone has the electronics andcomputing power to transmit data to and receive data from either anetwork or local server, which may be a personal computer, orintelligent peripheral or intelligent appliance through either wired orwireless means. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may serve as a transmitand receive hub. Using the computing power resident on the local ornetwork server or other intelligent devices, a user can perform allstandard computing functions from the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone.

5. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is a device with a speaker and iscapable of facilitating interaction between voice recognition softwareresident on the network server, local server, or on the intelligentappliance and the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. Mobile Device/CellularPhone is capable of outputting sound. It is also able to convert soundto data that can be transmitted to a local or network server.

6. Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have a built-in display or operatewith an external display. This Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is capableof displaying data being sent to or received from the local or networkserver or other intelligent appliances. This display is capable ofshowing text, graphics or other data.

7. Mobile Device/Cellular Phone has a transmitter, receiver, a digitalsignal processor, controller, and display electronics and audioelectronics which may be implemented with standard or custom componentsby those knowledgeable in the art. By using the voice recognitionsoftware resident on the local or network server, Mobile Device/CellularPhone can convert text data into voice and broadcast voice through aspeaker mechanism.

8. There can be a transmit/receive functional block built into theMobile Device/Cellular Phone. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone canoperate through either wired or wireless means.

9. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone need not have an operating system,but is capable of operating, with a built-in operating system or anoperating system resident on a local or network server or otherintelligent devices.

10. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is capable of transmitting inputsfrom either the keypad, display or voice inputs picked up from themicrophone to the local server or network server or intelligentperipheral or intelligent appliance for processing, through either wiredor wireless means. Voice includes spoken as well as other audio and/oraudible tones inclusive of music/sound. Thus one may either send data tosoftware resident on the local server or network server or intelligentperipheral or intelligent appliance through the keypad on the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone, through voice commands, through the display bytouching the screen, through a pen which interacts with the display, orthrough another device which interfaces with the Mobile Device/CellularPhone.

11. Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is capable of taking input and outputthrough a transmit/receive functional block, a telephone line, anethernet line or other form of data communication. These inputs andoutputs are then processed by a local or network server and are relayedback to Mobile Device/Cellular Phone and/or the display.

12. Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can be hooked to a local area networkor wide area network, including, the Internet, through either wired orwireless means, to receive inputs of text and/or voice and to sendoutputs of text or voice depending on the user's choice. Voice sent to alocal or network server could be stored as a data file. Voice may be inany language since the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone leverages thelanguage capabilities of the local or network server.

13. Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may also work in tandem with a local ornetwork server to receive text or voice data and process these inputsfor audio output. The primary computing power/protocols and softwarereside on the server.

14. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone is capable of interacting andcommanding many intelligent peripheral devices around the home or officethrough either wired or wireless means and thus is a universal keyboard.By using the processing power of the local or network server, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can assign/reassign an identification number toeach peripheral or appliance. With this unique identification number andthe processing capability of the local or network server, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can then control that particular intelligentappliance or other peripheral devices. The intelligent appliances willhave programmation capability to set or change identification andencryption. This programmation capability can be easily accessed andcontrolled by the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone. This will allow theMobile Device/Cellular Phone to re-configure various intelligentappliances as needed by the user. All the appliances and peripheralswill subscribe to the same protocols such that they will be able tocommunicate to each other and execute instructions. A user may also usethe programmation capability of the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone toassign a password or other security measures, such as data encryption toa particular intelligent appliance. Thus, unauthorized control ofintelligent devices will be prevented.

15. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can use its transmit/receive deviceto transmit data to and receive data from a local or network server orintelligent peripheral or appliance through either wired or wirelessmeans. In this scenario, the local or network server will perform anycomputation that is necessary. The transmit/receive can be either singleor multichannel. This means that the transmit/receive device which isbuilt into the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can receive all of its inputfrom the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone or it can receive many differentinputs from various intelligent appliances and peripheralssimultaneously or sequentially.

16. Other features and options may be added to the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone. For example, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone canpossess more processing power such that it can perform basiccomputations and will not have to directly communicate with the local ornetwork server to perform certain functions. For example, MobileDevice/Cellular Phone may possess more processing power so that it canassign an identification number to various appliances and peripherals,recognize various appliances and peripherals and so that it can assigninstructions for these appliances and peripherals to execute. Otherfeatures such as data storage can be added to the Mobile Device/CellularPhone. A module or storage device can be built in to the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone to record and store data and voice. For example,this can be accomplished by using a PCMCIA card. Mobile Device/CellularPhone can be connected to a mouse, electronic pen, CD-ROM, printer,CRT/TV by either wired or wireless means. As an option a scanner mayinterface with the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone so that documents canthen be sent to the local or network server for further processing.Another option is to enable a printer to interface with the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone to print data locally.

17. The transmit/receive controller electronics block diagram, as shownin FIG. 6, can be implemented by those skilled in the art with eitherstandard or custom electronics. The entire controller electronics may bea single chip integrated circuit. It is anticipated that all intelligentappliances would utilize this block diagram as a universal and requisiteembedded feature. As described in FIG. 6, this embedded transmit/receivefunction may come in multiple configurations of inputs and outputs. Indual channel configuration, the multiplexing transmit/receive device hastwo inputs and two outputs. This will allow an intelligent appliance tosequentially or simultaneously be addressed by the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone for either sequential or simultaneous output. Inaddition, it is possible for the multichannel multiplexingtransmit/receive function to be incorporated on a mother board or adaughter board of a personal computer, server, or othercomputing/processing device.

18. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, the multiplexing transmit/receivedevice, and the system configuration and protocols described in thisMobile Device/Cellular Phone system allow the Mobile Device/CellularPhone to fully serve as a universal command and control module. As anexample, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can serve as a telephone. Asanother example, the Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can turn lights on andoff in a particular location of a house. As another example, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can accept voice input and through the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone's use of the processing power of the local serveror network server or other intelligent device, the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone can convert this voice into text for printing byan intelligent printer. As another example, the Mobile Device/CellularPhone may interact with a diversity of electronic equipment, such asgarage doors, security systems, printers, televisions, washing machines,ovens, stove tops, personal computers, and other electronic devices. TheMobile Device/Cellular Phone can have its own antenna.

19. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone may have a keyboard configurationthat provides either a partial or a full function keyboard which can befolded or collapsed to achieve a compact size and portability. MobileDevice/Cellular Phone, may also be folded or collapsed to achieve acompact size and portability. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone, unlike apersonal digital assistant or handheld PC, need not have large computingand processing power built into it since it leverages its basiccommunication capabilities with the processing and computing powerresident on the local or network server or other intelligent devices.

20. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone can command and control each andevery electrical outlet or switch through either wired or wirelessmeans. Refer to FIG. 7. Each electrical outlet and/or switch may beconfigured to have a radio frequency transmit/receive controller andassociated electronics built into it which would enable the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone to communicate and control each outlet and switch.The electrical outlet may have its own antenna or it may use the wiringof the house as its antenna for communication with the MobileDevice/Cellular Phone and/or other devices. This can be accomplished byhaving a unique identification number for each outlet and switch whichcan be programmed by the user. The Mobile Device/Cellular Phone not onlyaddresses, commands, and controls intelligent appliances and devices, itcan also interface with each electrical outlet, electrical switch, andsensors thereby controlling appliances and devices that maytraditionally not have had these intelligent functions built-in.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunction mobile phone system comprising: amobile phone comprising a processor, a touch screen display, amicrophone, a speaker, a camera, a wireless cellular voice or datatransmit and receive component, a wireless local area network transmitand receive component; and wherein the device is configured forcommunication over an Internet Protocol based network; a softwareapplication stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium executedby the processor on the mobile phone, wherein the application isconfigured to control voice and video transmission, wherein theapplication presents an alphanumeric keyboard, and a centralmultichannel multiplexing transmit and receive (CMMTR) device, whereinthe CMMTR is connected to a plurality of networks, wherein the CMMTRtransmits data communication between the mobile phone and a remoteserver.
 2. The mobile phone system of claim 1, wherein the mobile phoneis configured to place a call using spread spectrum radio and whereinthe mobile phone is configured to access an Internet server using awireless local area network.
 3. The mobile phone system of claim 1,wherein the mobile phone is configured to access an inside line path,and wherein the inside line path is a wireless local area network (WLAN)and access an outside line path, wherein the outside line path is awireless public network simultaneously.
 4. The mobile phone system ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile phone is configured to accept a dataconnection from a second mobile phone.
 5. The mobile phone system ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile phone is configured with voice recordersoftware.